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Free child restraint checks

7 Jul 2015
11:10 AM -

Forbes
Shire Council is ensuring that children are secure when travelling in vehicles
with free child restraint checks from 12pm to 2pm at Jelbart Dawson tomorrow.

The checks
will be provided by RMS authorised child restraint fitters as part of the I’m
Counting On You project.

Information
about the national child restraint laws, the types of restraints and advice on
moving children from one restraint type to the next will be
available.

There will
also be a free barbecue and a colouring in competition for the kids.

Forbes
Shire Council's Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, has
organised child restraint checking days in the past and said that 80 per cent
of child restraints inspected were found to be installed incorrectly.

“The
correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital. Research
shows that two out of three child restraints are not being used properly and
this puts children at risk in the event of a crash,” Melanie said.

“Most of the
child restraints that were checked last time we offered this service had minor
problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child, such as
tightening straps, checking clips and replacing loose bolts.

“It is
important to have your child restraint checked regularly after prolonged use
and installed correctly before use to ensure that your precious cargo is safe.

“An
unrestrained child can sustain devastating injuries by coming into contact with
the interior of the vehicle or going through a vehicle window if they are
unrestrained or are not restrained properly.

“However,
children travelling in a car do not have to be involved in a crash to suffer
serious injuries. A child who is not properly restrained can be badly
hurt as a result of sudden braking.”

Mayor
Phyllis Miller OAM said this event was also a good opportunity for grandparents
to get their child restraints checked too.

“Many
grandparents have at least one car seat fitted in their vehicles and it is just
as important for them to be checked,” Mayor Miller said.

One of the
aims of the I’m Counting on You Project is to establish and hold annual child
restraint checking days - this checking day is the first of hopefully many
similar events.

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About Us

Forbes Shire Council was created in 1981 from the amalgamation of the Forbes Municipal Council and the Jemalong Shire Council. Responsible for town planning, building approvals, local roads, parking, public toilets, water and sewerage, waste removal, domestic animals and community facilities, the organisation exists in line with our core values and strategic goals.